I recently started my fifth year as a TA (paraprofessional) at Thompson’s Station Elementary School (TSES). I work with students with special needs. It’s a tough job. I am trying to hang in this one last year.
Phillip is still working at HCA in IT/IS. His official title is Systems Engineer II. He goes to the office two days a week and works from home the other three. He recently purchased his very first pair of Air Jordans, a lifelong dream fulfilled. And he got a new car this summer (2022 Ford Explorer). But obviously the Jordans trump all.
Phillip and I are now travel agents with Share the Magic Travel. We specialize in Disney World vacations but can sell Universal, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Sandals as well. We love Disney so this has been a fun hobby for us both.
Ellen is a sophomore at Summit High School. Go Spartans! She actually has zero school spirit but I felt compelled to add a little something there. I wouldn’t say she loves school but Ellen is a very conscientious student (always has been) and we are very proud of her. She took a break from Orchestra last year but is now back to playing her viola. She also joined Youth in Government and Speech and Debate. Ellen is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. She has an eclectic group of friends and is really into K-pop, especially Seventeen. Itsy, Twice and Red Velvet are also beloved. We actually went to a Seventeen concert in Atlanta on August 30th. Ellen hates to miss school and very rarely does. I think she only missed one day of middle school, but was more than willing to miss two days for Seventeen. Although she may have had some small regrets simply due to the volume of schoolwork she has this year.
Lilly is in her last year at Thompson’s Station Elementary School. I can’t believe she is in 5th grade! She will move on to TSMS next year, which is in our same building. She likes playing video games, watching stuff on her iPad and reading. Due to Ellen's influence, Lilly is also a ride-or-die Seventeen fan. Moody? Yes. Opinionated? Yes. But also funny (so funny sometimes) and one of my very favorite people to be around. You never know what she is going to say. She can be a lot but she has my heart. Lilly is still a picky eater but here are some food favorites that have stood the test of time: Ramen Noodles (chicken and beef), Papa John’s pizza (black olive), Blue Coast Burrito, Chick-fil-A nuggets, Lima beans, Life cereal, tortilla chips, Parmesan cheese, apples, strawberries and 1% milk (Kroger brand only).
Sadly, George and Lucy are no longer with us. George started having seizures in November of 2020 and went downhill from there. We had him put down April 17, 2021, at age 15. Lucy had some health issues in her later years, mostly brought on by old age. We made the decision to have her put down on September 3rd, 2021, at age 16. George was my buddy. Phillip would say the same, that George was his buddy. He was the best dog. His decline was truly heartbreaking. Lucy’s death was a little easier to cope with since she had been suffering off and on for a few years. It was time.
That is a little bit about us in 2022. A lot has changed, small things mostly, but some big things too. Covid definitely changed us. Here's hoping 2023 is a little less exciting :)
